THE FAITHHAUS BLOG

Join us as we explore the avenues of faith—whatever gets us thinking and talking. Discover practical tips and seasonal topics, favorite things and religious traditions. Learn more about the people and ideas that lift our spirits, encourage us to ponder and sometimes simply make us smile.

The Yule Logs of Instagram

Way back when, Celtic Brits and Gaelic Europeans would gather to welcome the winter solstice at December’s end. People would feast to celebrate the days finally becoming longer, signaling the end of the winter season. To cleanse the air of the previous year’s events and to usher in the spring, families would burn logs decorated with holly, pinecones or ivy. Wine and salt were also often used to anoint the logs. Once burned, the log’s ashes were valuable treasures said to have medicinal benefits and to guard against evil. Some groups claimed the ashes would protect the bearer from lightning—an important quality at a time when houses (and most of the contents in them) were made of wood.

It’s actually a very cool tradition and one you could incorporate into today’s world with your loved ones and either a fireplace or a firepit.

Around the 16th century a creative baker made a log shape cake to be burned in the hearth-or fireplace. That is believed to be the start of the ‘cake’ yule log which was then made popular by those smart French bakers in the 19th century and they called it buche de noel. These cakes are rolled sponge cake and frosting with meringue decorations all done up to look just like a cute little log in the forest.

Cut to 2015 and you have people baking yule logs and buche de noel all over the world. With the popularity of photo sharing websites like Instagram -where we love to hang out-we can see just what kind of yule logs are out there. So without further adieu we bring you our favorite yule logs of Instagram.

Behold the glory of this yule log in all it’s simplicity from Cath Kidston. They are kind enough to offer their recipe on their blog as well so check them out! A great London company offering lots of Christmas gear. Instagram @cathkidston_ltd

Serious perfection in these mushrooms. Notice the ‘dirt’ which is most likely crushed Oreo cookies. A few pine needles and voila- a beautiful log. Natasha’s Kitchen crushed it! She’s the Ukranian Foodie and has this recipe and more on her site. Go! Instagram @natashaskitchen

Yes- this says Happy Anniversary but don’t let that fool you. It’s still a yule log! We love the holly, mushrooms, snow and red background. We got the fever. From Sweet Inspirations in Denver, CO. Instagram @sweetibakery

So we can’t confirm who made this or if there’s a recipe for this, well, buche de noel (can’t call it a yule log but it’s AMAZING!!). Instagram user @alexclooz posted this pic and all we can say is wow! Looks cool and edible and it has trees!

Perhaps you could tell by the little sign that this is done by a French baker. Yes, Patisserie La Seigneuriale in Quebec. Stop by their bakery at 2416 Boulevard Louis-XIV, Bauport, and pick one up- yummy and French! Instagram @patisseriefrancaise

You had us at white (and we have a copy of the Joy of Cooking). We love everything white and all it’s purity so why not make your yule log look like it just got hit with a fresh dusting of snow! Powdered sugar snow even better. From the Joy of Cooking and from our hometown of Portland, OR. Head to their blog for the recipe. Instagram @joyofcooking.

At first this picture reminded me of home and the pictures we take on our Ikea wood counters. Then we realized there’s a real work of art here that we could never come close to. The Swiss Haus Bakery has a yule log complete with snowman and little santas we hope are edible! They have a location on Market St. in Philadelphia and a website. No relation to FAITHHAUS (Swiss Haus) :)

From what we can tell Raquel Bagatini is the pastry chef at the Balthazar Bakery in Englewood, NJ. which is the wholesale division for Balthazar Restaurant in NYC. No matter, she has made a classic and gorgeous buche de noel that leaves our mouths watering. Booking the flight now…. Instagram @raquebagatini for amazing food pics!

All the way in Indonesia we have St Claire Patisserie and their elaborate ode to Christmas. This yule log covers all the bases and sadly you must be there to get one! Or maybe that’s a good thing, we all need a trip to Indonesia for Christmas. Instagram @stclairepatisserie